What We're Up Against

I was just watching c-span and some guy called in to ask Sen. Sessions (R-AL) about social security. He opened by saying that the democrats plan was to keep poor people poor. I'm already wild eyed and bewilered at this point. He then proceeds to complain that the Republican party isn't doing enough because they're divided on this issue and they all need to stand together and have better discipline. He then concluded by saying that the GOP should use the nuclear option.

What plane of existence does this man live on? Planet Bush?

Iraq

Presidents: 1

VPs: 2

Weeks taken to decide: 10

Peace: Nowhere in sight

An election is a celebration, not the end all be all of democracy. Heck, in this country elections certainly don't have anything to do with democracy.

link.

Close, but No Cigar

Do you think Clinton ever could have gotten away with this?

The wife and daughter of Tom DeLay, the House majority leader, have been paid more than $500,000 since 2001 by Mr. DeLay's political action and campaign committees, according to a detailed review of disclosure statements filed with the Federal Election Commission and separate fund-raising records in Mr. DeLay's home state, Texas.

I don't think so.

The Pope Is Dead

I'm sure you already know this as well and would like to move on to some other sort of news (3+ days and counting), but the media can't seem to figure it out.

Meanwhile, we've got 1500+ dead in Iraq, but the war has seemed to drop out of the news. That's the SCLM for you. Here's the info on the latest attacks.

Cornyn and Domestic Terrorism

If you haven't heard what Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) has said, you need to read this.

Causality

Although Bush has been going around since god only knows when trumpeting that frivolous lawsuits are the main cause for putting doctors out of business, he's pretty oblivious (...) to the fact that he'll be cutting 5% off of Medicare for the next 6 years. A loss of 30% of one's income seems to be a pretty big factor in putting someone out of business, as opposed to lawsuits that account for 1% of all medical costs. If that person were a Fortune 500 company, well, I don't have to finish that thought for you.

Sexual Awareness Sunday

According to the govmint, protective factors against STDs are:

• Perceived parent disapproval of adolescent sex.
• Parent/family connectedness.
• Religious identity/commitment.
• Pledge of virginity.
• High grade point average and school involvement.
• Appears younger than most peers.
• Friends who have similar commitment to abstinence.
• Presence of both parents in the home.
• Infrequent dating before age 16.
• Involvement in group and extracurricular activities.

That would be great, except that abstinence doesn't work (link from dkos). Pledges of abstinence only lead to higher rates of oral and anal sex, so good luck trying to fend off the clap that way. Also, someone's going to have to explain to me how a high GPA and lots of extracurriculars lower your risk of getting STDs. Here are risk factors for STDs:

• A parental belief that adolescent sex is appropriate or inevitable.
• Little parental monitoring.
• Perceived risk of untimely death.
• Paid work more than 20 hours per week.
• Low grade point average or lack of attachment to school.
• Appears older than most peers.
• Alcohol and drug use.
• Only one parent in the household.
• A steady boyfriend or girlfriend.
• A history of physical or sexual abuse.
• Dating someone two or more years older.

In fact I hear Congress is gearing up to pass a law outlawing dating for anyone under 21. If you want a relationship it's marriage or bust. Adolescents working hard are rewarded with STDs (nevermind that they'll have to work hard because of Santorum's proposed minimum wage bill). Dating someone who's two years older (nevermind that they might be more mature and careful about sex) is also a sure-fire way to contract herpes. However, I think most offensive one on this list is having only one parent in the household. That's just really disgusting. But wait, there's more:

If you believe your adolescent may be gay, or is experiencing difficulties with gender identity or sexual orientation issues, consider seeing a family therapist who shares your values to clarify and work through these issues.

Of course you shouldn't accept your child for what he or she may be. Teens don't struggle with identity, and they don't need support and encouragement from their parents. Tell them they're wrong, it'll make them feel better.

At least advocacy groups are complaining about this (there are your tax dollars at work again) according to the AP. Theocracy here we come.

Bush's Energy Policy

Is no different from his foreign, domestic, or energy policy. If reality doesn't suit you, just make it up.

Powerline

Explain to me why anyone (Howard Kurtz) believes Powerline? Because he, like Powerline, must believe that Tom Delay is a Democratic construct.

WMD Intelligence

was

a. right
b. so-so
c. wrong
d. delicious

D goes without saying, but it was also C, WRONG! By whose admission this time? Crazy lefty blogs? Crazy lefty politicians? Crazy lefty activist judges? No, the white house! Yaaaayyyy!!!

Link.